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Recently, WQXR (a classical music station)in NYC changed its FM frequency from 96.3 to 105.9 and this made it much more difficult to pick up on an ordinary FM radio. The tuneable AM antenna is also great and increases the signal strength. So I just now hooked up the Kloss Model 1 radio that I purchased with the "exterior" antennas (both AM and FM).that you pay slightly extra for. The radio is fantastic because it zeros in on 105.9 with a sharpness (and lack of static) that is simply uncanny. The audio is mono but with very very good sound. My highest possible recommendation for this small miracle set.Lou Rotando, Hartsdale, NY
Before the first one began failing, I purchased 3 of these over the course of a year from 3 different vendors. Turning the radio on and off often results in a loud pop through the speakers, even if it's kept unplugged between uses.
Don't get me wrong the exterior is very attractive in a cool retro way and I've never had such rich sound from a small table radio. That a fine-sounding radio is built with such low-grade, non-audio parts.
The volume will suddenly go to zero only to be fully restored by the slightest tap on the volume control. The timbre of the sound is incredibly life-like.
However, the mechanical switches and intervening connections are incredibly cheap and poorly constructed. It's not just one bad radio, either.
They all have the same flaws.
What I wanted: * a small radio for my small apartment, with * a simple design, * warm, rich sound, and * the ability to play my ipod. But I would say that this sounds as good as a nice solid stereo with pure sound to an ordinary music lover.I usually play the Tivoli fairly quietly (my roommate can't hear it) and listen mostly to jazz, blues, classical, and latin music. I got what I was looking for, and also like the old-fashioned physicality of a tuning knob over a digital display (I spend enough time in front of screens as it is--and circles are nice). The price seemed steep, but now that I listen to this radio for hours every day, news in the morning and music in the evening while I work, it's worth it.Granted, I've never owned a super-high-end stereo system, so I can't compare it to that. If you're looking for a radio to crank up the electric guitar to ear-blast, or need a sternum-vibrating bass in order to enjoy the kind of music you like, this may or may not work out for you (I'd go test it for those qualities now, but the walls are thin, it's after midnight, and my neighbors are nice people). If you have more modest decibel needs and like a pleasant, balanced sound, I think you'll enjoy this radio.
Buy it for the great sound, but NPR listeners beware. The tuning knob is so sensitive that fine tuning is all but impossible.
If it's your intention to use it for playback from your iPod, it's a great choice. It's a really nice looking radio and has great sound at all volumes.The only major problem with the radio is the tuner.
To be sure, this little radio has great sound. I'll dial up an FM station, the light that measures signal strength will be beaming bright, and within a minute, the station is gone.
This is the issue that makes me yell and scream at the radio when I'm trying to listen to the news. It simply cannot keep a station tuned in for more than 30 seconds.
I'll literally touch the dial (not turn, but touch) and it'll alter the frequency. low frequency FM stations just don't stay tuned it.
We enjoyed our Model One for nearly two years, and then it died. Still, I would have expected that Tivoli would take pride enough in their reputation that they'd make things right. I've had radios 30 and 40 years old that still worked fine.
I wrote to Tivoli to see if they would fix or replace it. I couldn't say. Though we treated it well, after just 22 months the unit's signal would drop to inaudibility within minutes of turning it on.
Was the Tivoli designed to break down in so short a time. Didn't get a word in response. A radio is not a terribly complicated device.
Maybe mine was a simply a lemon. I won't make the mistake of buying another of their products.
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